Electric car grant extended
Government has today announced that the current Plug-in Car Grant scheme would continue to offer motorists up to £5,000 off the price of an electric car until at least February 2016.
Covering all categories of vehicle, the move aims to further boost the rapidly-growing plug-in car market. The Government’s commitment to maintaining the established Plug-in Car Grant will see the contribution for ultra-low emission vehicles continue at current levels into 2016. Previously the Government had announced that grant levels would be reviewed once 50,000 vehicles had been sold, a milestone expected to be reached in November this year. As a result, all plug-in cars with CO2 emissions of 75g/km or less will remain eligible for a grant.
Given its ambition to make the UK a world leader in ultra-low emission technology, the Government recently announced that a minimum of £200 million has been made available to continue the Plug-in Car Grant and this latest news will add extra incentive to private buyers and fleets who were looking to ‘go electric’ in 2015 and 2016. Further details about how the plug-in car grant will be structured beyond February are expected following the Government Spending Review in November.
Hetal Shah, Head of Go Ultra Low, said, ‘Continuing the Plug-in Car Grant at current levels is positive news for everyone, as it encourages zero-emission motoring and secures more funding for a greater number of ULEV buyers. This announcement demonstrates the government’s commitment to supporting the growth of the ULEV market. If we are to meet ambitious targets for ULEV uptake, continued investment is paramount.’
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said, ‘With British buyers taking to ultra-low emission vehicles faster than anyone else in Europe, the extension of the Plug-in Car Grant is good news. The market for these vehicles remains small, however, so it is essential that government continues to provide effective incentives for their uptake – including the Plug-in Car Grant and other measures.’
